Chechil cheese: what is it made of, calories, useful properties and harm

Chechil cheese as a snack is used by many fans of beer. The fresh product has a rich aroma and an expressive, "cheesy" taste. But is it useful for the human body? Is it possible to harm yourself by frequent consumption of pigtails? About this and many other things related to this type of cheese, we will talk in the article.

Cheese pigtail: what is it, what is it made of and what it tastes like

Extracted, brine cheese is a cheese that is made according to the national recipe of Armenian cuisine. The cooking technology involves the use of dairy products and rennet enzymes. Cecil comes in long, braided strands of varying thickness. The color varies from light beige, almost white, to bright orange. The structure of the yarns is elastic, stratifying.

Technology of production

Armenians from ancient times prepare cheese pigtail, considering it a traditional delicacy. In a classical variant for it goat milk which is fermented in natural conditions is used. Then a rennet element is added to the sour milk, which gives the finished product its characteristic structure. During the production process, the cheese strands are braided and left to mature. After ripening, the cheese is smoked, which gives it an unforgettable taste and bright flavor.

However, in some cases the last stage of cooking is simply omitted, which makes the finished product healthier. The Armenians prepare braid by hand, paying special attention to the number of strands. The more of them, the better the quality, as well as longer shelf life of the product.

What is it made of?

Chechil cheese is made from sheep, cow and goat milk. It can be made of one or more kinds, which is beneficial for the taste and health properties of the plaited cheese. In Armenia it is not uncommon to use all three types of milk for plaits.

How it tastes

Juicy strands with tangy notes of spice and a faint hint of smoking have an expressive, cheesy taste. There is a pleasant aftertaste of sour milk products for a long time. Salinity varies from moderate to intense. The smell is pleasant, smoky.

Composition and calories

As any other cheese, Cecil is quite caloric. There are 320 calories in 100 grams of the product. It contains 19 grams of protein, 26 grams of fat, and 2.3 grams of carbohydrates. Cecil also contains minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, iron, selenium, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, sodium. There are also vitamins B, A, D, E, PP and K. The cheese also contains polyunsaturated, saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol.

How is Cecil cheese useful?

Despite the high caloric content, nutritious plaice is easily absorbed by the body and does not create discomfort in the intestines. After all, it is made from fermented dairy products. Calorie cheese is useful for people with low body weight. A large amount of vitamins and minerals:

• strengthens bone and muscle tissue;
• beneficial effects on the hair, nails;
• Helps quickly recover from illnesses or surgeries;
• Improves blood composition and prevents anemia;
• Restores calcium balance in the body;
• Improves mood and well-being;
• beneficial effect on the nervous system;
• improves sleep;
• Helps relieve nervous tension and fatigue;
• effectively combats stress conditions;
• It has a beneficial effect on the immune system.

Nutritious cheese allows you to quickly satisfy hunger.

Warning! Despite its popularity, it is very difficult to find a really good quality Cecil. Today manufacturers prepare it from secondary raw materials, adding palm oil. About the benefits of such a product is not necessary to speak.

Is it possible to eat cheese with...

Except for individual intolerance to the ingredients of the pigtail, there are no contraindications to its consumption. However, as with treats with any other products, limitations should be observed here.

When breastfeeding

During breastfeeding, you can not consume smoked products, which have a negative effect on the composition of milk. Since cheese is smoked, it is better to exclude it from the diet during lactation. Or eat it very rarely and only a little bit.

If you are pregnant

Store-bought cheese contains preservatives, harmful additives, dyes, which are not recommended for pregnant women. Also in the ready-made product there is a lot of salt, which can cause swelling in a woman in an interesting position. But here there is a way out - to prepare pigtails at home by yourself. Such a dainty will not contain harmful components and a lot of salt, so a pregnant woman can easily diversify her menu with a pigtail.

When losing weight

Since pigtail cheese is very caloric, if you want to get rid of excess weight, you should not include it in the menu. If it was not possible to abstain, then you can allow yourself just a little bit. It is better at the beginning of the day, and then significantly reducing the caloric value of other dishes. It is worth giving preference to cottage cheese, which is not too salty and does not contain harmful additives.

With gastritis

With an exacerbation of gastritis, it is better to refrain from cheese plaits at all. During the remission period, you can sometimes allow Cecil in limited quantities. Better if it is a delicacy prepared by yourself, at home or purchased from reliable sellers.

Harm and contraindications

Despite the useful properties, Cecil can bring harm to the body. For example, if there is an individual intolerance to the product. This is expressed in the occurrence of allergic reactions. Also, you should know that:

1. Preservatives, store additives are not good for the body.
2. A large amount of salt negatively affects all organs, but, salty dishes are contraindicated in kidney disease.
3. Exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases can be obtained by consuming smoked, salty food in large quantities.

In order not to harm the body from the consumption of pigweed, you should eat it infrequently and in limited quantities. Completely exclude cottage cheese during an exacerbation of gastritis, peptic ulcer or intestinal disease, kidney disease. It is also contraindicated for people suffering from cardiovascular disease. This is due to the high salt content and harmful components, if the product is made on an industrial scale.

Refuse to consume pigtail should be with high cholesterol, cystitis, Of course, you should not abuse cheese in the presence of extra pounds.

How to choose and store

When choosing cheese, first of all, you need to pay attention to its color and smell. A light product indicates freshness. Too intense, bright hue indicates long storage. Also rich color can indicate the use of dyes. Be sure to consider the date of manufacture. It is indicated on the package. If more than 75 days have passed since the date of manufacture, it is better to refuse such a purchase. After this period, Cecil loses its freshness, becomes dry, too salty and unpalatable.

You can preserve the taste and useful properties of cheese on the bottom shelf of the refrigerator, where there is high humidity and optimum temperature. In unopened packaging, it can be preserved for 75 days after the date of manufacture. If the package is opened, the cheese should be wrapped in clingfilm. This way it will not lose its freshness for a month. However, if the slather is smoked, then in the refrigerator, wrapped in clingfilm, it can last two months.

Can I Freeze

For long-term storage, you can also freeze Cecil. In this way, it is stored for up to six months. After defrosting, the product does not lose its properties and taste qualities.

How to understand if the cheese is spoiled

You can recognize the spoilage of smoked cheese by the following signs:

1. A change in color to a darker color.
2. Cheese strands have lost their inherent elasticity, become dry, hard.
3. The pigtail tasted bitter and had an unpleasant aftertaste.
4. A pungent ammonia odor appeared.
5. The surface of the product became slimy, moist.

A white fluffy growth may form on the surface of the cheese if not stored properly. This is mold. Of course, such a pigtail must be thrown away!

Where to buy and how much costs

You can buy cheese plaits in a store or supermarket in any city. The high quality product is not much different in cost from the cost of classic hard cheese. However, it is hardly useful and tasty. You can buy good cheese in a specialized store or at the food markets of the Caucasus.

Warning. The less ingredients in the composition of the pigtail, the more natural it is.

Using in cooking

Most often, cheese plaits are used as an appetizer for beer or other alcoholic beverages. It is also a hearty, nutritious snack - just a few strings and some black bread will be needed to satisfy your hunger. However, this is not the only use of smoked cheese in cooking. It is fried, added to salads, first and second courses, which gives them a spicy taste and unforgettable smoked flavor. Also, like other types of cheese, Cecil is used as a filling in baked goods or pizza.

What kind of wine goes with cheese

The best way to go with flavorful smoked cheese is with red semi-dry or dry wine. It will harmoniously set off the salty flavor. White dry wine can also be served with non-smoked pigtail.

How to make pigtail cheese at home

Having worked hard at home making pigtail, you can be pleasantly surprised by the delightful taste of the finished product. He will bring the body only good! To make a kilo of cheese you will need 9 liters of milk. You will also need rennet or pepsin, which you can buy at the drugstore.

Milk is heated, pepsin or rennet is added and left to ferment. After 60-90 minutes, the mass will become lumpy. It is transferred to a colander with gauze for a few hours to remove the whey. When the consistency is optimal, the mass is cut into individual pieces and placed in cold water for 15 minutes. Then the half-finished cheese mixture is put into a saucepan with boiling water and heated, kneading all the time until the mass is homogeneous. Boiling water is mixed with salt and cooled. Place the pieces of cheese in the brine. In the process of maturing it will begin to stratify, forming thin strands. You need to keep in the brine for 5 hours. Then the cheese is taken out and braided. At home there is no need to prepare too concentrated brine.

Attention! Before braiding, you need to put a tablespoon of mass in hot water. It should stretch easily, without tearing off. This indicates the correct technology for cooking Chechil.

Chechil Cheese Recipes

Not everyone uses Cecil to make all sorts of dishes. And for good reason! It imparts an unusual, savory flavor and mouthwatering, smoky aroma, making a dish more nutritious and satisfying.

Pea Soup with Cecil

Cecil is excellent with pea soup, which, in turn, opens all its flavor properties just with smoked meat. Boil the soup in the traditional way, and 5 minutes before it is ready, add the cheese threads chopped into pieces. After the cheese has released its flavor, the soup is removed from the fire and served to the table.

Italian-style pasta with smoked cheese

This kind of pasta with the addition of pigtail and smoked sausage can be safely prepared for a holiday dinner.

Ingredients:

• packet of pasta;
• 250 gr. smoked sausages;
• 400 gr. of tomato sauce;
• onion;
• sweet pepper;
• 150 g. mushrooms;
• basil, oregano, salt and ground black pepper.

First fry the onions, mushrooms and bell peppers until soft. Add tomato sauce or diluted tomato paste, salt, spices, a little sugar. Then put sausages and stew for 10-15 minutes. Cook pasta separately and drain it. Put it in sauce, add pigtail which is not cut into long strings, let it stand for 5 minutes to absorb flavor. Serve.

Unusual Tomato and Chechil Cheese Salad

Mix the cheese, cut into fibers, with fresh chopped mint, cherry tomatoes and pomegranate seeds. Add pickled onions in thin strips. Separately, mix sunflower or olive oil with liquid honey, balsamic vinegar and ground black pepper. Dress the salad and stir.

Grilled cheese plaits.

Grilled cheese in batter is an excellent snack for fresh beer. The dish will allow you to diversify the table, try new flavor combinations.

From a glass of beer, a little milk, 2 eggs, baking soda and flour prepare the batter. The fibers are thrown into the prepared mass and immediately placed in a pan with hot vegetable oil. Fry on each side for 2 minutes.

Holiday Nest Salad

Such a salad with success will also decorate the holiday table.

Ingredients:

• one boiled chicken breast;
• 2 boiled quail eggs;
• fresh carrot;
• onion;
• some walnuts;
• tin of mushrooms;
• 200 gr. checil;
• salt, ground pepper;
• mayonnaise.

Wash, peel and prepare all products. Fry onion and mushrooms in vegetable oil, chop nuts with a blender. Chop the braid. Mix all the ingredients, leave some cheese for decoration. Put green salad leaves on a flat dish and shape the salad mass into a ring. Put cheese strings on top, and in the formed hole put boiled quail eggs.

Can pets be given cheese?

Some pet lovers try to feed them delicious products. This is how they train the animals to consume smoked pigtail cheese. However, is it okay to do this? Would the cheese do any harm?

Hamster

Hamsters are not forbidden to give cheese in small quantities, no more than once a week, to meet the need for protein. But, it must be a non-smoked product, better prepared at home. When introducing complementary foods, the condition of the animal should be closely monitored.

For a cat or dog

Cats can be fed cheese, but only if it does not contain preservatives, dyes and other harmful additives. Therefore, plaiting for the pet should be prepared by yourself or bought from proven sellers at the market.

It is not recommended to give dogs any kind of cheese, since it is poorly absorbed by the body. Feeding such a product will cause digestive upset, and further lead to pancreatitis. Especially negatively cheese plaits will affect the liver of a four-legged friend.

Interesting facts

Interestingly enough:

1. Translated from the Armenian language, Chechil means "tangled."
2. In Georgia, they have been making a pigtail-like, fibrous cheese called tenili since ancient times.
3. Georgians are often offended that Chechil is referred to as a traditional Armenian delicacy, although they also make the same product.
4. It was an Armenian who patented the industrial production of the braid, which is why it is considered an Armenian invention.
5. Armenian women keep cheese in brine for a long time - up to 2 months in order to get long, elastic and thin threads.
6. There is a belief among Armenians that the fiber of real Chechil must be pulled through the eye of a needle.
7. The pigtail shape was invented for a reason: it allows to preserve characteristic layering of the product, its distinct sour taste and nutritious juices.
8. Unreliable manufacturers replace the natural smoking procedure with soaking in "liquid" smoke, which makes the product harmful.
9. Natural smoked cheese changes its color when weaving - in the weaving areas the coloring will be less intense than in the open areas.
10. Cecil, when consumed regularly, is able to delay the development of tooth decay by changing the acidity in the mouth and inhibiting the development of pathogenic bacteria.
11. Allergic reactions when consuming cecil can occur when it is treated with liquid smoke, which contains chemical compounds.

As a natural farm product, Cecil cheese is healthy. It is a delicious delicacy that can diversify the table and make dishes more savory and flavorful.

Photo of pigtail cheese